Serum Anti-mullerian Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, LH/FSH ratio, Estradiol and their correlations with age in Infertile Women in Nigeria

Abstract

Infertility is a cause of concern because of its psychosocial effect. Globally, infertility is said to affect 8%-10% of couples. This study aimed at evaluating serum levels of Anti- mullerian Hormone (AMH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone ( L H ) , E stradiol , Luteinizing Hormone/Follicle Stimulating Hormone (LH/FSH) ratio and their correlation with age in women with infertility. Treated in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.This was a retrospective study. Data of 458 women seen in the ARRT Clinic of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department between May 2021 and June 2023 were analyzed. Subjects were stratified into four age groups. Serum levels of AMH, FSH, LH, Oestradiol and LH/FSH ratio were statistically analyzed and their correlation with age determined. Biochemical assays were done using the ELISA method. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21. Students' t-test and Pearson's correlation determined. Statistical significance was established at p≤0.05.Mean Serum AMH, FSH, LH, Oestradiol, LH/FSH ratio was 1.1±1.4ng/ml, 7.7±6.3mIU/ml, 4.4±3.9mIU/ml, 50.9±37.4pg/ml, 0.62±0.35 respectively. Serum AMH decreased significantly with age (from 3.09±2.4 to 0.63±0.86,p=0.003). Serum FSH and LH increased significantly with age (from 5.63±2.7 to 11.94±11.0 (p=0.001) (3.56±2.0 to 5.88±5.59 (p=0.001) respectively. Mean LH/FSH Ratio values decreased from 0.64 ± 0.36 to 0.55 ± 0.37 (p=0.201). Serum AMH showed a statistically significant negative correlation with age (r=-0.422, p=0.001). Serum FSH and LH showed a statistically positive correlation with age (r=0.268, P=0.001), (r=0.156, P=0.001) respectively. Oestradiol showed a weak negative correlation and LH/FSH ratio show weak positive correlation with age. Serum AMH showed a stronger level of negative correlation with age compared with the other hormones evaluated, therefore it may be a more reliable marker of ovarian reserve, hence, useful in the assessment of response to treatment protocols in Assisted Reproduction.